Audible fishing attractor

ABSTRACT

A multi-section hollow sound chamber containing a plurality of beads and including bore holes or a tubular mounting bore, which is isolated from the sound chamber, for supporting the chamber from a fishing line, wire-form or lure. Associated buoyancy and rotation means facilitate auditory sounds. In various constructions, the chamber parts mount in mated and bonded relation about a hook shank, a wire-form coupling member or a fishing line. Included fins or external grooves facilitate chamber rotation with movement relative to water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to audible fishing lures and, inparticular, to a sound chamber mountable in a variety of fishingpresentations, including weighted head jigs, crank baits, or snells.

It is generally known that various fish species at various times respondto auditory stimulation. Although the conditions when such stimulus hasthe greatest effects are not fully understood, varieties of lurepresentations have been developed in recent times which include soundchambers wherein a plurality of metal beads are contained. The motion ofsuch lures, induces random interaction of the beads within an integralbody chamber to create a rattle type of sound. Typically, such lurescomprise a molded plastic body, usually in the form of a prey foodspecies, wherein the body parts are hollowed to contain a plurality ofthe bead members. Termination means are included with such bodies forsecuring hooks and/or a line to the lure.

Applicant is aware of a variety of lure presentations which includedetachable sound chambers which may be added to a lure presentation. Onesuch chamber comprises a hollow, bead-containing spinner blade; otherscomprise chambers which are insertable within provided pockets in thelure body or directly into soft bodied lures molded to the form of wormsor the like. Applicant is also aware of lead head jig presentationswhich include a chamber mounted with rubber bands to the hook shank andwhich include a chamber that is molded into the weighted head to extendin parallel displaced relation to the hook shank.

Applicant is further aware of a bullet-shaped chamber including aplurality of beads which includes a co-extensive bore for mounting abouta fishing line to slide to and fro therealong. The chamber, however, isconstructed to act as a ballast or weight for the lure presentation.

Nowhere is applicant aware of an accessory sound chamber which isintended to mount directly about a hook shank, which is intended toprovide a neutral or positive buoyancy to the lure, which includesfurther means to induce to and fro motion on a wire or line support orrotation of the chamber thereabout relative to lure travel throughwater.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, applicant has developed a modular auditory sound chamberwhich is mountable to a variety of lure presentations relative to alongitudinally coaxial support member and to which support member thechamber is either rigidly or rotatively, slideably secured.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a multi-sectionchamber including shaped portions having indexable, mating edges wherebyin combination a hollow cavity is formed, upon assembly and bonding.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a chamber includingbore holes or a bore tube having a core which is isolated from thehollow chamber interior and beads.

It is a further object of the invention to provide external surfacegrooving along external surfaces of the chamber walls or projectionstherefrom which induce a rotation of the chamber about a coaxialsupport, which may comprise a hook shank, wire-form or snell line.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a neutral topositively buoyant sound chamber.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a chamberincluding an integral coaxial wire-form support, whereby the chamber maybe selectively attached to various lure presentations.

Various of the foregoing objects, advantages and distinctions of theinvention will become more apparent hereinafter with reference to thefollowing appended drawings and related description and wherein avariety of chamber constructions are shown.

In one construction, a two-part chamber is sonically bonded to the shankof a hook. The chamber is secured either in stationary or rotativerelation to the hook shank, which may additionally include a weightedforward head or other filamentary attractors or barb protectors.

In various other constructions, the chamber includes finned projectionsor surface grooves which relative to movement through water inducerotation and an audible reaction of the contained beads.

In yet other embodiments, a filamentary, coaxial line or wire-formattachment means is secured through the chamber and whereby the chambermay be secured to other lure body components.

Still other objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description withrespect to the appended drawings. Before referring thereto, it is to beappreciated the following description is intended to be illustrativeonly of various presently considered constructions. Accordingly, thedisclosure should not be strictly interpreted. To the extentmodifications and/or improvements have been considered they aredescribed as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a drawing in partial cutaway of a lead head jig including ashank mounted sound chamber.

FIG. 2 shows a drawing in partial cutaway of a chamber comprised ofmating halves and including a tubular bore having a core which isisolated from the bead-containing cavity.

FIG. 3 shows an isometric drawing of a snell mounted chamber includingfinned projections and wherein the center bore comprises a unitary tube.

FIG. 4 shows an isometric drawing of a chamber including a symmetricallygrooved, rotation inducing surface.

FIG. 5 shows an isometric drawing in partial cutaway of a jointed crank.

FIG. 6 shows an elevation view of a stamped metal spoon lure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a partially sectioned isometric view is shown of afishing jig 2 which includes an audible sound chamber 3 containing aplurality of beads 5. The jig 2 is principally comprised of a barbedfishing hook 4 which includes a suitably sized shank portion 6 andspacing between a barb 8 and the shank 6 to accommodate the audiblechamber 3. That is, the diameter and length of the chamber 3 relative tothe hook 4 is typically sized such that a gap remains between the hookbarb 8 and the chamber 3 to permit the setting of the hook into themouth of a striking fish, as opposed the chamber obstructing the hookset. The chamber 3 may also be secured in either rigid orslideable/rotative relation to the hook shank 6. For the embodiment ofFIG. 1, the chamber is rigidly bonded to the hook shank 6.

Positioned forward of the chamber 3 is a filamentary skirt 10 includinga plurality of tentacles 12 which project rearward. In the alternativejig of FIG. 4 a closed, thin-walled umbrella or parachute like skirt 14is shown and which might be included in lieu of the skirt 10. More ofthe details of such skirts can be found in my pending U.S. Pat. No.4,763,436.

A molded lead head 16, formed to a suitable shape to best present thebarb 8 relative to the fishing attitude of the lure is provided forwardof the skirt 10. The sidewall 15 of the head 16 is particularly formedto flare conically rearward to an edge of maximum radius 17. A flattenedarea 19 is provided to support the lure 2 with the barb 8 tipped upward.Thus, upon coming into contact with a lake or river bottom the conicalsidewall 15 causes the lure 2 to rotate and right itself at theflattened surface 19.

Exposed from the head 16 is a line attaching eyelet 18. Otherwise, asingle member or multi-bristled weed or barb guard 20 projects rearwardof the head 16 to protect the barb 8 relative to the possibility ofbecoming entangled in weeds, brush, or other waterborne obstructions.

Although one particular arrangement of lure components is shown, it isto appreciated still other components may be added or deleted withoutaffecting the invention. For example, additional hooks might be added tothe assembly, which are either attached at the eyelet 18 or directly tothe hook 4. Live bait or other attractors may also be secured to thehook 4.

With attention next to FIG. 2, an exploded assembly drawing is shown ofa slightly modified sound chamber 22. The chamber 22, like the chamber3, is formed of two mating walled housing portions or shell portions 24,26 which bond to one other along mating peripheral rim portions 28, 30.The rims 28, 30 each include an overlapping or mating vertical flange 34but may include interlocking bosses, channels or the like to index oneshell to the other, depending upon the design of the shells 24, 26.Formed along the center of each shell are matin tubular bore portions29, 31 which align with each other once the flange 34 are indexed toform a tubular core 35.

Presently, a sonic bonding process is employed to secure the shells 24,26 to one another and wherein a pair of anvils (not shown) are shaped tomate with the shell portions 24, 26 and vibrate each at a high frequencyto the point where sufficient heat is created at the mating rim flanges34 and tube portions 29, 31 to melt and seal one to the other. Variousadhesives or other bonding techniques might also be employed.

In contrast to the above mating peripheral edge construction, the halves35, 37 of the chamber 3 of FIG. 1 provides flat non-indexing edges. Eachhalf contains a half-circular end bore 32, which when the chamberportions 35, 37 are mated with one another seal abount the shank 6 orother support such as the twisted wire support 34 shown in FIG. 5.

Positioned otherwise internally of each of the chambers 3 or 22 are aplurality of beads 5, 36. The beads typically comprise various lead,steel or other metal or metal coated particles which when the lure orjig 2 is moved in normal use, induce a vibration or audible noise withthe chamber walls that attracts fish.

As mentioned and in contrast to the chamber 3, the chamber 22 is formedto include a tubular core 35 formed from bonded core portions 29, 31.The interior of the chamber 22 is thus completely sealed against theentry of water. That is, the beads 36 are captively constrained betweenthe surrounding walls of the outer shell portions 24, 26 and the tubularcore portions 29, 31. During normal use, water can only enter the corespace 33 of the tube 35 and has no opportunity to accumulate within theinterior of the chamber 22 to and lessen the audible sound.

Although Applicant has not experienced the latter problems when thechamber 3 is permanently bonded to hooks in the range of 4/0 to 6/0,this may present a problem for thinner shanked hooks 4 or where thechamber 3 is mounted to slide and rotate about the shank 6 or a thindiameter fishing line snell or twisted wire-form support 34. That is,any space between the bore portions 32 and the hook shank 6 could overtime permit water to enter the chamber interior, unless the chamber isalternatively sealed in the fashion of FIG. 2.

In the latter regard and with further attention to FIG. 3, a snellassembly 48 is shown. The assembly 48 provides a sound chamber 50 whichincludes a tubular bore 51 and finned projections 52. The chamber 50 isotherwise mounted over a terminal length of fishing line 54, commonlyreferred to as a snell. In passing, it is to be noted that the tubularbore 51 comprises a fixed length of tube stock which is bonded to endbores formed in the chamber walls.

The attractor portion of the assembly 48 principally comprises thechamber 50 which is formed to slide along the line 54, between beads 58and also rotate. That is, the fins 52 are shaped to induce rotation ofthe chamber 50 with movement through the water. The fins 52 may providea slightly concave leading surface or project in spiral relation to thechamber 50 and/or be of a variety of lengths and shapes. They may alsoinclude holes to creaste bubbles. While not shown, it is to beappreciated that clevises, spinner blades or other components can beincluded with the assembly 48.

Although buoyant float members could be used with the assembly 48, theyare typically not required. That is, in spite of the inherent weight ofthe beads 36, Applicant has discovered the chambers 3, 22 and 50 to berelatively buoyant. This apparently occurs with the sealing of thechamber interior and the trapping of air which provides a counterbuoyancy to the weight of the beads 36, hooks 4 etc. To further overcomeany negative buoyancy, the chamber 50 could also be constructed fromvarious plastics which exhibit either zero or positive buoyancies. Thus,the chambers 3, 22 and 50 can be formed to float, which feature findsparticular advantage in the snell assemblies 48.

FIG. 4 otherwise shows a jig assembly 59 having a chamber 60 whichincludes grooves 62 that induce rotation of the chamber 60 as it isdrawn through the water. Although symmetrically positioned grooves 60are shown, the grooves 60 may be non symmetrically positioned and canextend less than the full length of the chamber body. A tubular boremember 35 or 51 is normally used with the chamber 60 to facilitatemounting to the hook 4, yet permit rotation.

The weighted head 62 presents a generally cylindrical configuration,except for a flat portion 64, of lesser diameter than the parachute-likeskirt 14. A stop bead 66 is mounted along the hook shrank 6 tofacilitate chamber rotation without permitting sliding.

The ability of the present chambers 22, 50 and 60 to rotate providesparticular advantage in enhancing the amount of sound produced. With theaddition of the external aerodynamic grooves 62 and finned projections52, exaggerated lure movement is also obtained and which advantages arenot otherwise attainable with other conventional unitary bodied lures.

With further attention directed to FIGS. 5 and 6, chambers 70, 71 and 80are shown wherein a member wire support 34 is provided. The support 34includes eyelets 72 at each of the fore and aft ends. Such eyelets 72are desirable for attaching the chambers to other lure components or tolures which otherwise do not include an audible chamber.

For example, in the lure 74 of FIG. 5, the chambers 70 and 71 form ajointed body. That is, a forward audible body section 71 is followed bya second audible chamber 70. The sections 70, 71 are secured to oneanother at mating eyelets 72. For the sake of depicting alternativemounting arrangements, the wire-form support 34 of the chamber 70 mountsthrough end bores. The wire-form 34 of the chamber 71 otherwise mountsinside a tubular bore member 73 which is shown in cutaway. It is to befurther appreciated that the chamber shapes can be adjusted dependingupon a desired overall lure configuration and may even include a splitbore member 35. One or more solid body portions may also be used withone or more audible chambers 70, 71.

FIG. 6 depicts a stamp formed metallic spoon-type lure 82 which includesa trailing treble hook 84. Mounted within the plane of the lure body 86is the chamber 80, which includes a bore member of either of theconstructions 35 or 51 and a contained wire-form support 34.

The chamber 80 is attached to body 86 at the eyelets 72 of the twistedwire support 34 and bent tangs 88. The tangs 88 are stamped as part ofthe lure body 86 and are bent to capture the eyelets 72. Depending uponthe body shape, which is formed to typically provide an oscillatory orfluttering lure motion, the chamber 80 can slide and/or rotate on thewire-form support 34.

While the present invention has been described with respect to itspresently preferred construction and variously considered modificationsthereto, it is to be appreciated still other modifications may suggestthemselves to those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the followingclaims should be interpreted to include all those equivalent embodimentswithin the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. Fishing lure apparatus comprising:(a) first andsecond walled housing portions having mating peripheral edges whichedges seal to one another to define a housing and a hollow internalcavity; (b) a plurality of beads loosely confined within said cavity toproduce audible sounds upon randomly striking the housing walls; and (c)means for defining a bore through the housing walls and wherethrough theshank of a fish hook extends, wherein said hook includes a weighted headmolded about a hook eye and wherein said housing is mounted to the shankto permit movement of the housing longitudinally and rotationally alongthe shank.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said headconically projects rearward from a vertex at the hook eye and includes aflattened surface portion, wherein said flattened surface and head areformed relative to the hook shank and a barb to cause said head toself-right upon said flattened surface and thereby induce the barb andshank to acutely project thereabove when said head is in contact with alake or stream bottom.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including asolid bodied skirt mounted aft of said head and radially projecting fromthe hook shank beyond the spacing between a hook barb and the hook shankand wherein the longitudinal thickness of said skirt is such that theskirt collapses and expands relative to the hook shank with lure motionthrough the water.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidbore defining means comprises a tubular member which concentricallyextends between opposite fore and aft end walls of said housing along alongitudinal center axis and being sealed to the housing end walls suchthat said cavity is water tight and wherein said support member mountswithin a through bore of said tubular member.
 5. Apparatus as set forthin claim 4 wherein said tubular member comprises first and secondlongitudinal portions of the respective first and second walled housingportions which coaxially extend along the longitudinal center axis andinclude mating peripheral edges which edges when sealed to one anotherisolate a formed hollow bore from the cavity.
 6. Apparatus as set forthin claim 4 wherein the mating peripheral edges of said first and secondwalled housing portions include overlapping vertical flanges whichproject therefrom and mount in indexable relation to one another. 7.Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein the shank of the fish hookincludes means for limiting longitudinal movement of the housing alongthe shank and said housing includes means for rotating the housing aboutthe shank with movement of the apparatus through water.
 8. Apparatus asset forth in claim 7 wherein said housing includes at least one finprojecting from an exterior surface thereof to induce rotation of saidhousing upon directing said housing through water.
 9. Apparatus as setforth in claim 7 wherein an exterior surface of said housing includes aplurality of grooves which induce rotation of said housing upon beingdrawn through water.
 10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidhousing is formed of a neutral to positively buoyant material. 11.Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said beads are metallic beadsand the buoyancy of the housing is positive.
 12. Fishing lure apparatuscomprising:(a) first and second walled housing portions having matingperipheral edges which edges seal to one another to define a housing anda hollow internal cavity; (b) a plurality of beads loosely confinedwithin said cavity to produce audible sounds upon randomly striking thehousing walls; (c) bore defining means extending through the housingwalls for supporting said housing relative to the shank of a fish hook,wherein said hook includes a weighted head molded about a hook eye andwherein said head conically projects rearward from a vertex at the hookeye and includes a flattened surface portion, said flattened surface andhead being formed relative to the hook shank and a barb to cause saidhead to self-right onto the flattened surface and the barb and shank toacutely project thereabove when said head is in contact with a lake orstream bottom.
 13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said boredefining means comprises a tubular member concentrically extendingbetween opposite fore and aft end walls of said housing along alongitudinal center axis and walls of said housing along a longitudinalcenter axis and being sealed to said housing and end walls such thatsaid cavity is water tight and wherein said shank mounts within athrough core of said tubular member.
 14. Fishing lure apparatuscomprising:(a) a flattened metal body including at least one aperture;(b) means for attaching a fishing line and at least one fish hook tosaid body; (c) first and second walled housing portions having matingperipheral edges which edges seal to one another to define a housing anda hollow internal cavity; (d) a plurality of beads loosely confinedwithin said cavity to produce audible sounds upon randomly striking thehousing walls; (e) means for defining a bore through the housing wallsand wherethrough a support member extends and about which support saidhousing is moveable; and (f) means for restraining said support memberwithin the aperture of the metal body and whereby the housing moves incoplanar relation to the body with movement of the apparatus throughwater.
 15. Fishing lure apparatus comprising:(a) first and second walledhousing portions having mating peripheral edges which edges seal to oneanother to define a housing and a hollow internal cavity; (b) aplurality of beads loosely confined within said cavity to produceaudible sounds upon randomly striking the housing walls; (c) means fordefining a bore through the housing walls and through which bore theshank of a fish hook extends; (d) means for limiting longitudinalmovement of the housing along the shank; and (e) means for rotating thehousing in position about the shank with movement of the apparatusthrough water.